Hands 2 Help Quilt Challenge - Sign Ups Start Now!

This will be the third year I have participated in
Hands 2 Help Charity Quilt Challenge
over at
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
and you can join too!



Sign ups start today and go until Saturday, March 21st.

The challenge is to use your hands to help others.
Quilts are made and donated to your choice of 3 charities.
All the details are over at Sarah's blog and you should check it out.
There are all kinds of prizes too!

Hope you had a great weekend!

My BFF from high school came for a visit and spent some time here in the sticks.

We really had a fantastic time.

My babies surprised me with an afternoon of fun over the weekend, too.

So I don't have any sewing to show, but I hope to do a little tomorrow.

A Little Wedding Help? Just asking...



Wedding plans are  really starting to come together. 

 

I need help with a couple of things and I know my blogging friends can help.

 

In case you don't know, my daughter is going to be married in October.

 

 

This quilt block was created for an outdoor flag for the wedding and was part of the Flags on a Stick blog hop back in April.  It is entered in the:

 

AccuQuilt Win the Dream Quilt Block Design Contest

AccuQuilt - Win the Dream Quilt Block Contest

I want I Do to Win the Dream! Vote for I Do and you can win too. Prizes are being given away daily, valued up to $700 per day just for voting!



 

 

My daughter, Trista, with her husband-to-be, Kyle, and their dog, Chief.

 

Over the Easter holiday we went wedding dress shopping and were lucky to have my mom and my son join us for the day. 

 

Me, Trista, Dress Shop Lady, and Randy

Here is a picture of the lady at the dress shop showing Trista the particulars.  My mom took the pictures and, dumb me, I never grabbed the camera to take a shot of Trista with her Grandma.  I won't make that mistake twice....wink.

 

 

Trista really wanted her grandmother and brother there to help choose a dress, but we all agreed on THE one.  It was a "no brainer" when she walked out glowing...

 

Trista and her brother, Randy

The dress will be revealed after the wedding, but I'm so moved when I see the pictures of the shopping day that I can't imagine what THE WEDDING DAY will be like.

 

So here is where I ask for help. 

 

I want to make a recipe book for my daughter (she loves to cook) and thought,

 

"How much fun would it be to have my friends from all over the world help me?"

 

I'm still trying to come up with particulars, but for those who wouldn't mind contributing a recipe by snail mail in their own hand writing I would be so happy to include it in the book.

 

I also thought about doing a linky party and maybe coming up with prizes for contributors and then I would print the posts to include in the recipe book (with permission, of course).

 

Not only recipes, but advice for a new bride could be fun, too.

 

A Virtual Bridal Shower

 

ANY IDEAS?

 

Leave me a comment. 

I think June (the traditional wedding month) would be the month for the linky party.   I've never done a linky party and think this is the perfect occasion for one.

 

If you feel like sending me a recipe card, I would love that.  Just comment and I will give you my address.

 

 

This recipe book is something she will use and cherish, so thank you for your help!

 

 

 



You Can't Show Up Empty Handed

I'm excited to visit my son next weekend, but I don't want to go without a gift.  This is the perfect excuse to purchase a new ruler and make him something...right?

He commented about a pillow I had made his sister when he was home for a visit, so I decided I would use the same pattern but with different fabrics.  The pattern uses 36 half square triangles. 

I needed to get the rust out of my FMQ skills. They've been put away for awhile.  I did a little stipple for the quilting.

I like to make my HSTs  a little bigger and then square them up.  I found a great ruler to help with that!  The ruler is called Bloc Loc and it has a groove that sets right into the seam and makes quick work of squaring up.  I guess I'm giving them a little free advertising, but I really do love this ruler.

Trim one side, then just slide the ruler down the seam and cut the other side.

I used my rotating mat to whirl the little squares around and trim.  It was so much faster.  Yeah, me.  I have the 6.5" size.  I think it will be perfect for me.

 

I have labels now, too.  You would think it's my birthday or something....  *giggle*  Oh, wait, it almost is!  lol

This chair was made by my son when he was in 4-H and I thought it made a neat picture. 

I'm linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop.

Hubby is taking me out to celebrate 15 years of wonderful.
Have a great weekend,

Mother's Day Came Early

I had a very nice surprise visit from my son and his girlfriend this weekend and I put them to work. 

My son and his girlfriend with the smile they put on our propane tank



But wait, here is the before, during, and after.... It's amazing what creative people can do with a little paint.

 

Those tanks were such an eye sore before.  Now, every time I look out my kitchen window I will see that smile and think of the kids. 

My grandmother had gas tanks with smiles on her farm and I always thought it was such a happy sight.  Now my son has recreated that memory for me.  Happy Mother's Day to me..early...

My son has to work next weekend and decided to come this weekend instead.  He lives 5 hours away and it is quite a little trip so I feel very blessed.

My son, Randy and his girlfriend, Andie

Now, I wonder what little thing chore my daughter will want to do next weekend...lol  She is planning on spending Mother's Day with me here.  Not a bad gig for me.

Hope you have had as good a weekend as I,